The Muslim Weekly | FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER 2009
BABY TALK
23
Crib Bedding Themes
hen selecting your precious baby's nursery theme there are so many different things to consider. You will be asking yourself many questions while making your decision. Some of the questions you may ask yourself may be: What colours do I want to use? This is always a tough decision, especially when you have decided to be surprised with the sex of your baby and want to have the nursery ready for your new bundle of joy when he or she comes home from the hospital. There are always the neutral colours to choose from. It used to be yellow and green but there are so many colour variations available today. Just search the internet and you will discover some great colours that can be used for either sex. Choose from Black and white to red or even chocolate brown. What theme do I want in the baby's nursery? This is the fun decision! There are so many options out there that can be used in your baby's nursery. The crib bedding tends to be the centre of the room's theme. So this is where you want to start. Find a crib bedding theme and then find matching room décor to go with it. Most crib bedding sets have matching room décor like a
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matching mobile, wall hangings, diaper stackers and baby throw blankets. Some popular themes are jungle friends and farm animals crib bedding. Most crib sets come with a sheet, quilt, bumper and skirt included. The diaper stacker, wall hangings and mobiles are usually sold separately as added accessories. What will I do with the room as my child grows older? Finding a theme that will expand into the toddler years is optimal but not always easy to do. Sometimes limiting the amount of theme accessories to the basics like the wall hangings, the mobile, a diaper stacker and a throw blanket or two will make it economical and easy to change the theme to better suit your child as he or she becomes a toddler. One thing to keep in the back of your mind is that the standard crib mattress will fit most toddler beds. The mattress that you use does not change as your child progresses from the crib to toddler bed. With this in mind you now know that your crib bedding can be used as toddler bedding as well. So bear this in mind when making the purchase for your bundle of joy. You can continue to use your crib sheets when your baby becomes a toddler.
Crib safety guidelines for new parents
If you're a new parent, it's important to be aware of guidelines for your baby's bed. These guidelines are set out by official organisations to ensure the optimum safety for your baby while they're sleeping or even just playing in their bed. Since your baby's bed is the only place you'll ever leave them unattended, even for a minute, its important that it be as safe as possible and follow all safety regulations. Your baby's first bed will likely be a bassinet before they graduate to a crib, and this is where you have to be the most careful. Because a bassinet is essentially a basket of some sort or other similar design, there's very little safety risk. But a crib has slots, designs and myriad other elements that are potential dangers to your baby, many of which you've probably never thought about. Here are some guidelines for keeping your baby safe in their crib: Avoid headboards with cut outs or other décor. It is easy for a baby to get their head stuck or scrape themselves on them, and thus they should be avoided. Also avoid decorative posts or other additions. If the crib has wheels, ensure that at least two of them have brakes you can put on if you leave the room. Specifications for the crib rails include at least 26 in. between the raised crib rails and the top of the crib mattress; at least 9 in. between lowered crib rails and the top of the mattress; and rail slats that are 2 3/8 in. apart. Specifications for the mattress include that it should be fire-safe, which all newer mattresses are required to be; that it fits tightly on the crib with less than two finger widths of space between mattress and crib; that it has squared corners and no sharp edges or rough services; and that the mattress is firm for optimal support. Single drop sides are more stable than double-drop sides, and metal supports are often much sturdier than wood, though this does depend on the manufacturer. Think twice before getting an older bed or one that has been used before. Check out the safety commission's guidelines and see what cribs have been recalled. A used crib can have all kinds of safety hazards, from lead paint to worn parts. Though it may be more expensive, buying a crib new is the best way to ensure you get one that has the correct specifications. If you do buy a new crib, always send in the registration card that comes with it in case the manufacturer recalls the crib for whatever reason.
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